BAGUIO CITY September 28 – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has recently released Memorandum Circular (MC) 11, Series of 2016, which aims to bring its services closer to the department’s clients and beneficiaries.
MC 11, S. 2016, entitled “DSWD Off-Site Serbisyo: Special Guidelines on Off-Site Release or Provision of Services to Beneficiaries of DSWD Protective Services Program (PSP),” reiterates the dedication of the department in providing accessibility to and convenience for beneficiaries to the protective services of the DSWD which includes the Expanded Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (E-AICS).
“Through our Off-Site Serbisyo, individuals in crisis situation who are qualified to avail of our assistance need not travel to the regional office. The assistance will not be released outside DSWD offices or premises but in areas like barangay halls, Child Development or Day Care Centers, and multi-purpose halls, taking into consideration the safety and well-being of the beneficiaries and DSWD service providers”, DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.
“This will be a challenge for us considering the geographical terrain of the Cordillera Administrative Region, but we accept the challenge to provide not just fair but efficient social welfare service”, Armas added.
MC 11 is an off-shoot of MC 9 which reiterates the Department’s sole authority in identifying its beneficiaries. MC 9 also stated that the release of DSWD assistance is allowed only within DSWD premises.
“Identified Off-Site Serbisyo locations will be coordinated and communicated with our partners in our areas. Our beneficiaries will be informed on this and our personnel or their counterparts will be coordinating closely to ensure that the implementation of our programs and services will benefit our target beneficiaries”, Armas shared.
As defined by the DSWD, target beneficiaries of the protective services program are individuals who are indigent, vulnerable, disadvantaged or those in the informal sector, and other sectors who are in crisis situation based on the assessment of DSWD social worker.
The Off-Site Serbisyo will be implemented when it is shown that on-site payment or release results or tends to result to inconvenience to beneficiaries. Once implemented and locations are established, this will be available during office days and hours.
Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva